CENTRAL VIEW for Monday, August 8, 2005

The Sinistra Media

Before we get to the main part of this week’s column, let me record the finding of what may be a handy, short-hand description of the left-leaning, main-stream media: Sinistra Media.

For those of us who slept through Latin 101, sinistra means: left. Among humans, about 85-percent are born right-handed and that, of course, is considered normal. The 15-percent born sinistra- or left-handed are, by that definition: abnormal. The old Roman forts had several gates such as the porta dextra (right) and the porta sinistra (left). Most trade and supplies went through the porta dextra and other gates; however, spies, secret agents and other nefarious business were conducted through the porta sinistra. You get the picture.

In fact, the ancient astronomers named a star: Sinistra, because it appears that a serpent is being held to the left of the Serpent Bearer Ophiuchus. So, it should easily follow that the left-leaning, mainstream media could be considered: … sinister snakes.

Last week was tough on our troops in Iraq and their loved ones here at home. But, if we are to prevail, as prevail we must, even tougher days lie ahead. When I commanded troops in combat, I did not envy the physicians and nurses who had to care for our wounded and the dying. But I found those care-givers and, of course, our troops to be more admired than pitied. Edited only for length is a portion of a letter by combat surgeon, Colonel Brett Wyrick, to his retired, fighter-pilot father. Colonel Wyrick is serving near Balad, Iraq. He posts his letters on the Internet.

“…The first rule of war is that young men and women die. The second rule of war is that surgeons cannot change the first rule. I think the third rule of war should be that those who have given their all for our freedom are never forgotten, and they are always honored.

“I wish there was not a war, and I wish our young people did not have to fight and die. But I cannot wish away evil men like bin Laden and al-Zarqawi. These men are not wayward children who have gone astray; they are not great men who are simply misunderstood. These are cold-blooded killers and they will kill you, me, and everyone we love and hold dear if we do not kill them first. You cannot reason with these people, you cannot negotiate with these people, and this war will not be over until they are dead. That is the ugly, awful, and brutal truth.

“I wish the situation were different, but it is not. Americans have two choices. They can run from the threat, deny it exists, candy-coat it, debate it, and hope it goes away. And then, Americans will be fair game around the world and slaughtered by the thousands for the sheep they have become.

“Our second choice is to crush these evil men where they live and for us to have the political will and courage to finish what we came over here to do. The last thing we need here in Iraq is an exit strategy or some damn timetable for withdrawal. Thank God there was no timetable for withdrawal after the Battle of the Bulge or Iwo Jima. Thank God there was no exit strategy at Valley Forge. Freedom is not easy, and it comes with a terrible price - I saw the bill here yesterday.

“The third rule of war should be that we never forget the sacrifices made by our young men and women, and we always honor them. We honor them by finishing what they came to accomplish. We remember them by never quitting and having the backbone and the guts to never bend to the yoke of oppression. We honor them and remember them by having the courage to live free.”

For some reason, the Sinistra Media did not take notice of Colonel Wyrick’s open letter.

William Hamilton, a syndicated columnist, a featured commentator for USA Today and self-described “recovering lawyer and philosopher,” is the co-author of The Grand Conspiracy and The Panama Conspiracy – two thrillers about terrorism directed against the United States.